I flew like an eagle, but only for a few seconds and only a few
feet above the ground. But what a rush!

As if I didn't have enough to do, I, along
with my friend Jason (who took the pictures above), decided to take up
hang gliding and so signed up for instruction in the Tres Pinos area
around Hollister airfield south of San Jose, California. I was
supposed to do both the tandem (which is more than a thousand feet)
and the solo instruction, but the former was cancelled because of
weather conditions. The latter however proved to be an incredible
amount of fun.

Before you start, you just have to carry the glider and run. The
glider (which weighs about 40-50 pounds) is a pain to carry unless
there's a wind or if you're moving. Once you walk/run, then it's very
easy since the glider essentially lifts itself.

Then we just went up a hill and ran down it and suddenly my feet
were off the ground and I was running on air. It's an awesome
feeling. I did about 5-6 runs like this, working my way higher on the
hill (to about 100+ feet or so). I never did manage to land properly
on my feet but did glide for quite a distance.

People have a misconception about hang-gliding. You never really
"hold" the glider--the handlebars are there just to steer and are
extremely sensitive (if you grip them, you will crash). You
glide by being suspended by the glider, which works like a kite.

This is definitely something I recommend that everyone (even
someone who's not an adrenalin junkie) try. It's not at all scary or
rush-inducing (say, like skydiving is), or even
difficult. It's actually very serene and peaceful (more like flying on a sailplane) and
that's a thrill in and of itself.